SINGAPORE — Workfair Singapore said today (Dec 18) it is deeply dismayed that some of those remanded on charges of rioting in Little India have complained of police assault in a place where there were no cameras.

The allegation is extremely grave and deserves the full investigative weight of the authorities, the group of civil society volunteers said. The group is also concerned about the rights of Singaporean and migrant workers, and works towards the improvement of labour conditions in Singapore.

According to customary international law, statements obtained by coercion or under duress may not be used as evidence. The United Nations codified this in its General Assembly Declaration against Torture (1975) and Convention against Torture (1984).

Workfair Singapore said that, in light of four Cabinet ministers’ pronouncements on the causes of the incident prior to the trial or Committee of Inquiry, it is imperative that these allegations be investigated thoroughly and openly so as to avoid any suspicion of impropriety.

The group also called on the Law Minister to appoint an independent investigator with full access to all the investigated persons and police officers who have had contact with them, so as to facilitate an impartial and independent investigation and forestall any subsequent concerns of bias. CHANNEL NEWSASIA